JULY 4TH ...HAPPY 33RD ANNIVERSARY BESI / RADIO KAHUZI!

 

Kathy and Richard McDonald were ready to return to Bukavu, D. R Congo (formerly Zaire) with a new "FM Transmitter in a Suitcase" to broadcast the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

President Mobutu signed the first free radio license. This opened the way for other radios, TV and free elections.

  

Here, Richard moves out of the crowd and extends his hand to shake the President's hand and to ask, "Excuse me, Mr. President, but we have two telecommunications projects that are being delayed in Kinshasa." President Mobutu turned and called the director of his office and introduced him to Richard saying, "Take care of this gentleman's questions." Richard walked with him behind the President and set up a rendezvous to discuss his projects. (Mama Mobutu is in the foreground shaking hands and greeting the people while bodyguards keep watch.) 

The permit for Radio Kahuzi was signed on July 4, 1991, by both the Minister of State for Information and Press and the Minister of State for Agriculture. Their letters agree to the technical papers proposing several of each: FM, medium wave, and shortwave broadcasting transmitters for Christian programming, as well as for agricultural and other rural development broadcasting, including health, hygiene, and nutrition. They classify it as a Program of Priority Public Investments, allowing customs exemptions for importations of equipment, etc.

Richard shared, "As we revisit the events of July 4, 1991, Kathy and I are very thankful to have lived several zenith events where we have experienced the Holy Spirit's intervention. Despite our frequent incapacity and simplicity as we live through this Age of Grace, we realize we are nearing the End Times and the conclusion of the Holy Spirit's work here on this earth. We are very grateful to be a part of that work during these tumultuous times."

To God be all the Glory for the things He has done!

 RADIO KAHUZI TRANSLATED VIDEO APRIL 2025

The female journalist’s voice:

“Just a few days after being nominated by US President Donald Trump as his principal advisor in charge of African affairs, Mr. MASSAD BOULOS chose the Democratic Republic of Congo as his first destination for a diplomatic mission that will also lead him to some East African countries.

Along with Mrs. CORINA SANDERS, Deputy State Secretary in charge of African Affairs, and Mr. DAN DUNHAM, Director of the National Security Council of Africa, the Principal Counselor in charge of African Affairs did have a long and fruitful discussion with his Excellency President FÉLIX ANTOINE TSHISEKEDI TSHILOMBO. They did have an open dialogue on things to come and views on political economy. Among the discussed topics, they talked about the economic partnership between the US and DRC and, of course, security.

Addressing himself to the presidential press in French, President TRUMP’s principal counselor of African affairs was very clear and pragmatic over the two topics, saying that the US and DRC are very determined to fortify and strengthen their strategic, mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Mr. Massad Boulos speaking:

“I appreciate the opportunity of meeting President Tshisekedi today. We did talk about several topics, including the development of business relationships between the US and DRC. You heard about a minerals agreement. We did have fair knowledge of the DRC proposal, and we are happy to announce that the president and I agreed on a way forward for its elaboration.

I am so excited to collaborate with the president and all his staff through the purpose of pursuing and establishing a deeper relationship for the benefit of American and Congolese people. 

Stimulate American private sector investment in the DRC, especially in the mining sector, is a common target that leads to the prosperity of our two countries. 

Of course, we need a more business-friendly, suitable environment to achieve this goal. 

Be assured that American companies operate in complete transparency and will stimulate the local economy. 

This is about an investment of several billion of dollars, this is about creating jobs for thousands of people, this is about the transfer of knowledge and investing in the country’s infrastructure, but there will not be economic prosperity without security. 

Security is a must for a prosperous economy.

So we also talked about the conflict in the eastern part of the DRC. The US is strongly motivated to end that conflict, and we are discussing about the next steps with our Congolese partners. 

We wish a lasting and durable peace that sustains territorial integrity and sovereignty and lays the foundation for a thriving and flourishing regional economy. 

This relationship presents a huge potential, and we appreciate the opportunity to pave the way forward with our counterparts here in Kinshasa.”

The female journalist's voice:

“A clear engagement of the US to DRC and the support for the regional process can stop the unjust war.

 After Kinshasa, Massad Boulos will go to Kolwezi before continuing his tour in some East African countries.”

M23 Rebels Capture Goma and Bukavu

 

Dear Friends of BESI / Radio Kahuzi,

You may have heard or read about M23 rebels takeover of Goma and Bukavu on February 16th. We have been living under “house arrest” since then only venturing out to make a quick trip to the market to get food once a week. 

That fist week, Danny, our photojournalist, and his family suffered the loss of his younger brother and others defending their village near Goma, 100 miles north of Radio Kahuzi. Also, Feza’s husband, Primo, lost his brother-in-law around the same time defending his family.

The M23 advanced to Katana and the DRC soldiers that were guarding the Kavumu Airport  outside Bukavu, evacuated and retreated to town. The head of the Catholic Archdiocese told General Pacifique Masunzu, who commanded a key military defense zone in South Kivu at the Congolese military base in Bukavu to take his military out of Bukavu to make their defense away from the population centers; however, M23 has been in full command of Bukavu since February 25th.

We appreciate your prayers as we live through another time of stress. Our Radio Kahuzi FM is off and on air, depending on which staff member feels safe enough to get to work. No one dares to venture out after 6 pm or before 6 am, our equatorial sunrise and sunset. This reminds us of the same situation several years ago when we awoke at 6 am with a sniper standing in our street firing three meters from our bedroom windows toward the houses and MONUSCO forces, who were launching mortars in the other direction with their backs in our direction.

We went on the air Tuesday, February 25 after deciding to register with the new government on Monday. They said they will provide name tags / cards for our journalists so that they can do reporting. We do what we can to keep moving ahead. Banks / ATM service is spotty requiring three or four stops to find cash to pay our staff and bills that don’t stop coming. 

Each morning there are bodies found around the city of those who ventured out after dark or for some other reason. Adults lock themselves in to avoid being caught and dragged into the ranks of the M23. Young people are being kidnapped and taken away to be trained to serve in their military. There is lots of silent stress. Our day and nighttime guards travel long distances to keep a watch for us. Lambert is now off to take the cure for malaria. Our water has been off for several days and nights. Our taxi driver shared that all movement after dark is outlawed except for taxi and they must be off the road by 7 pm and cannot travel on some avenues unless they have a passenger going home. A friend and businessman sent a worker to bring an evening meal, but he never returned…possible kidnapping. 

We are thankful for the Lord’s leading and His Appointed Times as He gives us several million new generation military and displaced civilians moving into our war zone and under our FM antennas’ outreach in their several different heart languages, and access to all those He chooses for us to bear witness and share our testimony! Please pray that the Lord will continue to help us ALL to be ready when opportunities arise to share our testimony to His Glory and Honor, Let us all remain faithful In the Lord’s work!

Keep Looking Up! 

We are looking for His Soon Appearing in the Heavenlies!

Richard and Kathy McDonald

LILAH FAITH BECK HOME WITH JESUS

LILAH FAITH BECK

BORN NOVEMBER 23, 2008

PASSED INTO HIS ARMS ON

FEBURARY 25, 2025

Our sweet Lilah Faith Beck is at home with Jesus.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Safe on His Gentle breast;

There by His love o’ershaded,

Sweetly, my soul shall rest.

Lilah is so loved and missed by her family

Jared, Kimberly and Judah Beck

And her Grandparents

HAROLD & BARBARA SMITH & 

JOHN & PAULINE BECK & FAMILIES

radiokahuzi@sbcglobal.net

JUDAH’S TRIBUTE TO LILAH

For those of you who don’t know, my sister Lilah was diagnosed with bone cancer last year. She went through six months of chemo and was so ready to get her hair back and go back to a normal life. But she got an infection in her lungs about a month ago and passed this afternoon. I couldn’t have asked for a better sister.

I’ve never seen Christ more exemplified in a person than her. She never doubted, complained and never gave up during this last year of pain, worry and adversity.

She truly loved God and walked in suffering just as He did 2,000 years ago. Even in the middle of some of the worst pain imaginable, throwing up 50+ times a day, she was still radiating the love of the Father like I’ve never seen before in that hospital room. I’m going to miss her for the rest of my life, but I’ve never been more confident that her name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Even though my family and friends are devastated, we know she is truly happier where she is.

Please don’t see what happens in your life as horrible and something to hold resentment against God, but instead remember the best thing we can do in this life is to suffer as Christ suffered, and my sister was truly a living, breathing picture of Christ these last months and past days. She never stopped being herself even today before she passed.

God loves you even when it doesn’t seem like it, and I hope her story can be a testimony of faithfulness, dedication, and rejoicing in suffering. Even though she’s gone, she impacted so many people while she was living, and her unending love and faithfulness will continue to change people’s lives after she’s passed.

Jesus lived with us, suffered with us, and died with our sins so we may live, and Lilah knew that. Lilah said she never regretted giving her life to Christ and never questioned God’s plan, even sitting dying on a hospital bed. If you feel like God is distant from you, please know He’s always there even in the worst circumstances. He loves you and all he wants is a relationship with you.

Please pray and rededicate your life to the One and Only True God.

I love you so much Lilah and will never stop loving you. Judah

HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY ON MAY 2

 

He is not here, He has Risen Indeed!

 

He is not here, He has Risen Indeed!

 

Ephesians 1: 19 - 22 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

What do you think about when you think about Easter. Of course, we know Easter is completely a man-made teaching. It is purely religion. It has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity. The word, Easter, does not appear in the Bible in the original text. It appears once in the King James Version and it does not mean the Easter that we talk about today. But we can think about it because the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ is a reality.  

1/ This morning I want you, every time you think of Easter, to think of two things. 

#1 Salvation from sin, 

#2 Power in your Christian life. 

2/ Jesus Christ did not die and rise from the dead just so that one day we may dwell in Heaven. Christianity is far more than that. He, through His death, burial and resurrection has provided for us power for every-day living. Many Christians use the excuse—I’m only just a sinner saved by grace, and what can I do about everyday life? I still have these appetites, I’m still just a normal person—I want you to recognize something. Someone who is saved is not a normal person. God has given to that believer something that the rest of the world knows nothing about, nothing that religion can ever provide for anyone.

          To read the rest of the story...

           Resurrection Power

 

RADIO KAHUZI PODCAST

 

Radio Kahuzi

@radiokahuzi

·

1m

http://www.radiokahuzi.com RADIO KAHUZI PODCAST 31 years ago, Radio Kahuzi aired its first non-government, free broadcast on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1992. This opened the way for hundreds of radios opening the Democratic Republic of Congo to freedom of the press and media.

Danny Magadju and Family, Photojournalist / Reporter Radio Kahuzi Bukavu (BESI)

 

Danny Magadju is married to Madame Moseka Salome. They have five children. (The boy in white and girl on far right  are nephew and niece who were rescued from the volcano eruption in Goma.) 

Before joining our Radio Kahuzi Staff in 2008, Danny was elected President of the Kahuzi Radio Club at Kalahe, which is located between North and South Kivu. He developed and coordinated a number of Radio Kahuzi Radio Clubs to the North near Goma.

Danny completed his BA at the local Rural Development College and has been working as a journalist since 2008 providing information to radio clubs about the Red Cross, displaced people, combating violence against women and children, AIDS and transmissible diseases, Ebola and other viral pandemics. Danny is fluent in English, French, Swahili, Lingala, and Kihavu.

Polio Campagne de Vaccination

 

Danny Magadju,

Photojournalist / Reporter

Radio Kahuzi Bukavu (BESI)

Lancement officiel ce jeudi 10 Août de la campagne de vaccination contre la poliomyélite aux enfants dans 34 Zones de santé du Sud-Kivu.

C'est le Vice-Gouverneur et Gouverneur and-terim du Sud-Kivu, Marc MALAGO KESHEKERE qui a donné le coup d’envoi de la campagne de vaccination contre la poliomyélite des enfants de 0-5ans à l'xplanade Communal de  Bagira dans la ville de Bukavu en présence de la ministre provinciale de la santé Béatrice KIDJA MWENDANGA ,les partenaires habituels en santé au Sud-Kivu à savoir : l'OMS, *Breakthrouph ACTION (BA)* , Unicef,ainsi que d'autres invités.

Cette campagne vise à immuniser plus de 8 millions d’enfants de moins de 5 ans dans les 34 zones de santé de la province du Sud-Kivu.
 
Les équipes de vaccination passeront de porte à porte dans le but d’atteindre tous les enfants concernés, même ceux qui vivent dans des zones reculés de la Province.

Danny Magadju,

Photojournalist / Reporter

Radio Kahuzi Bukavu (BESI)